I don't believe he has said fifty words
out loud in the past two weeks. It's getting to be quite a joke among
the other guys in here. I never knew any one to be so careful as he
is. But, as I said before, he's in a bad way. It's telling on him,
poor kid. He can't see anything but the rope for both of us. And then,
Davy, my boy, he's got a particular reason for not seeing you. I guess
you know what it is. He's a terrible proud feller, Ernie is. Not a bit
like me in that respect. Now I'm willing to thank you for putting up
the coin for us, and all that, and I do thank you; but Ernie--well,
he's a curious kid. He can't bear to--well, you understand."
"Dick," began David as soon as the complacent rogue gave him the
opportunity to break in, "I want you to tell Joey and me just how it
happened. We are your best friends--"
The prisoner held up his hand, palm outward, shaking his head slowly
as he spoke. "I'd be a poor example for Ernie if I blabbed after
tellin' him to keep his trap shut. Excuse _me_, Davy. My lawyer
is the only one I talk to about the case. As he's your lawyer just as
much as he is mine, and more so, I guess, I don't mind if you chat
with him.
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